Barbecue’s public schools score below 64% of North Carolina districts on tests and graduation
38% of students in Barbecue’s public schools are proficient in math, below the North Carolina average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Barbecue, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.
From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Barbecue’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 282 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Barbecue’s, its schools beat 16%, lower than their 36% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 41% of tested students were proficient in reading and 38% in math, against 50% and 51% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
87% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $10,916 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and five high schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Barbecue’s grade
C+: better than 36% of North Carolina school districts, #240 of 290 North Carolina towns. Graduation is above the North Carolina average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Barbecue, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Barbecue
Highland Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 854 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Sanford
Kindergarten in Barbecue
Highland Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 854 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Sanford
1st grade in Barbecue
Highland Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 854 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Sanford
2nd grade in Barbecue
Highland Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 854 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Sanford
3rd grade in Barbecue
Highland Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 854 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Sanford
4th grade in Barbecue
Highland Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 854 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Sanford
5th grade in Barbecue
Highland Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 854 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Sanford
6th grade in Barbecue
Highland Middle
Grades 6–8 · 762 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Sanford
7th grade in Barbecue
Highland Middle
Grades 6–8 · 762 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Sanford
8th grade in Barbecue
Highland Middle
Grades 6–8 · 762 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Sanford
Barbecue’s public schools are run by Harnett County Schools, which also serves Angier, Coats, Dunn and Erwin and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Barbecue vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Barbecue’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Barbecue | C+ | Harnett County Schools |
Every school in Barbecue
7 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Barbecue’s schools
Are Barbecue’s schools good?
On North Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Barbecue children attend score below 64% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #240 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 16%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Barbecue in?
Harnett County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 20,095 students in 29 schools (2024–25).
Where do Barbecue kids go to high school?
One of 5 high schools, depending on your address: Overhills High, Harnett Central High, Western Harnett High, Triton High and Harnett County Early College.
What is Barbecue’s graduation rate?
87% of the class of 2023 in Harnett County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Barbecue spend per student?
$10,916 in Harnett County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Barbecue families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Barbecue → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.